By Deborah Nnamdi
New Zealand will increase its adult minimum wage from April 1, 2026, raising hourly pay for workers nationwide as part of the government’s annual minimum wage review.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment announced that the adult minimum wage will rise by 45 cents to $23.95 an hour, up from the current rate of $23.50. The move is aimed at supporting low-income earners while limiting additional cost pressures on businesses.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the new rate was carefully set to balance worker welfare with business sustainability. She noted that the increase would benefit about 122,500 workers across the country.
Alongside the adult minimum wage adjustment, the training and starting-out minimum wages will also increase from April 1, 2026. Both rates will rise to $19.16 an hour, remaining at 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage, compared with the current level of $18.80.
The ministry said the changes would mainly affect workers currently earning below the new thresholds, particularly those in entry-level and training positions. For employees on the adult minimum wage, the increase will amount to an extra $18 per week for a standard 40-hour work week, or about $936 more per year before tax.
The minimum wage applies to all legally employed workers aged 16 and above, across all sectors and regions, and is reviewed annually as part of broader labour market and economic assessments.
The adjustment comes amid wider labour and immigration reforms aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s workforce and international appeal. The country has recently expanded work rights for international students, introduced new visa categories to attract skilled migrants and digital nomads, and overhauled its labour classification system to better align skills demand with economic growth goals.
